The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-08-05

xv1>Dsnce that lncompeeent Psrsans -
Engnsed IN Armlng Our New War Vessel.
As Much Danger Behind ~ Ia Frons y.
the 0uns o. Both ships and nasn-Ths
Atlanta sfructurnlly sound. Hut Ussisss
NEWPORT, r. l., July 27,-The hoard an
pointed by Secretary whitney ON FRIDAY
last 20 inspect the Atlanta and take cam.
mand of her until his order has been fnllv
carried out. met on board the vessel Non.
day. The board was busy that day ana
tte next examining the armament 81 TN
Atlanta. The result will be communicated
10 Secretary whitney In few DAYS. When
the board completes IT, labor, not a. il M
outlined in the order Of Secretary Whiinev
naming the members OF the board and tx
duties they were expected 20 perform ~,
the result Of the inspection ~ the ship and
her ornaments as revealed 10 the hoard
during the short time 10 has walked m.
deck Of the Atlanta.
The result OF the labors OF the board. sum.
married, are rs follows: The shin i y,
present practically useless. Her structure
appears 10 be strong and free from weak.
ness, but her armament II hors-de-comhat.
The injury 70 the eight-inch gun carra.e.
Il such that they can not be again used in.
iii completely repaired. The damage ~
the clip circle and clips is such that Il re-
paired the board would not be warranted
In firing the guns, repetition Of the injury
TO them being inevitable. The board loes
not think that this portion Of the fittings
Of the vessel was ever intended TO retari
the recoil Of guns, and the damage done Is
In excess Of what is reasonable The deck
Of the vessel IL found TO be inta I.
The uncertain behavior Of the
eight.inch guns makes IL incxpcdent 10
again subject the vessel TO firing tests, Il
Il manifest from the location OF the six
inch guns that II the eight-nch guns we're
In perfect order the six-inch gun would lie
idle, a. Il would be impossible 10 work
both guns at the same time. The smaller
secondary battery IL also useless while
either the eight or six-inch guns are fired.
The result il that the Atlanta. as vessel
Of war, a. the armament is now arranged,
Is absolutely worthless. The discharge
Of the heavy power guns Is likely TO be
followed by injury 70 the vessel. The three
batteries, which ought to he SO arranged
~ 20 be fired, II necessary, simultaneously,
are imperative for single fire.
The board will further report that until
the repairs are made. which the present
condition Of the ship rea lily demands, il is
out Of the question TO think Of making any
| thorough tests OF any part Of her battery.
| What IL true Of the Atlanta is also true Of
! the Boston, and probably the Chicago.
| Captain Bunce, commanding the Atlanta,
| prudently tested the effect Of the dis
charge Of the eight-inch guns before expos
! ing the men. The first sheep put near the
| gun was blown, nobody knows
| where. The second sheep was tied around
the body with q small rope and slack
f, enough given TO allow freedom Of move.
ment The animal was tossed high into
/ the air and drawn back by the rope dead
! creature. Other objects were placed near
the six-inch guns and in every
| instance the warning was TO keep
away from the guns when dis.
charged. The board will probably finish
! it, labors and adjourn this week. i being
! out Of the range Of probability that the
I tests laid down by Secretary Whitney W Ill
! ever be executed.